Pamlico board optimistic with initial presentation of county budget

Published: Monday, March 25, 2013 at 05:57 PM.

BAYBORO — Unlike some recent years, there were no long faces or wringing of hands by commissioners Monday morning when Pamlico County Manager Tim Buck presented the initial county budget for 2013-14.

Buck presented the board a nearly 500-page document, which was completed after department heads made their requests. It did not yet include funding recommendations for the public schools, community college and other outside agencies; those requests will come later in the spring.

The budget must be approved by July 1.

The $15.7 million in expected revenues are offset by $16.4 million in anticipated expenditures. Commissioners went through nearly two hours of discussion on trimming the initial $688,000 deficit.

Despite an opening shortfall that was less than some previous years, commissioners said they were again prepared for a tight budget year.

Buck said he felt the budget can be balanced without the county having to pull money from its fund balance. The past two years, money from county savings was included to balance the approved budget, although that money was later not needed.

Although no requests for employee equity and merit raises were included, board Chairman Ann Holton said she would like to use a starting figure of a 3 percent cost of living increase for employees, and then evaluate any individual hikes.

BAYBORO — Unlike some recent years, there were no long faces or wringing of hands by commissioners Monday morning when Pamlico County Manager Tim Buck presented the initial county budget for 2013-14.

Buck presented the board a nearly 500-page document, which was completed after department heads made their requests. It did not yet include funding recommendations for the public schools, community college and other outside agencies; those requests will come later in the spring.

The budget must be approved by July 1.

The $15.7 million in expected revenues are offset by $16.4 million in anticipated expenditures. Commissioners went through nearly two hours of discussion on trimming the initial $688,000 deficit.

Despite an opening shortfall that was less than some previous years, commissioners said they were again prepared for a tight budget year.

Buck said he felt the budget can be balanced without the county having to pull money from its fund balance. The past two years, money from county savings was included to balance the approved budget, although that money was later not needed.

Although no requests for employee equity and merit raises were included, board Chairman Ann Holton said she would like to use a starting figure of a 3 percent cost of living increase for employees, and then evaluate any individual hikes.

The board requested additional information on a number of items, including one by Commissioner Paul Delamar III for Buck to give the board a total figure for the employee raises.

The 3 percent cost of living increase would total $180,000.

On the revenue side, Buck predicted a 1.9 percent growth in property taxes, a 3 percent increase in sales tax receipts and a $33,000 increase in revenue stamps. The money generated from the lease of county jail beds to federal inmates and prisoners from other counties remained the same as this year, at $700,000.

There was also a projected increase in permits and fees of nearly $20,000, which commissioners said was a positive note toward an improving economy.

There is a projected $53,000 decrease in health department revenues, in areas such as Medicaid, primary care and state funding.

In the area of requested capital, supplies and major project expenses, the largest item was $250,000 for a new emergency management wireless communication system called VIPER. That was also on the list of items that the board asked Buck to provide additional information.

“What is the negative impact on citizens if we don’t have this? Will public safety suffer?” asked Delamar.

Commissioner Chris Mele asked about the deficiencies in the current system as well as where the “dead spots” in the county are located. She asked if they are in vacant rural areas or in populated areas.

She noted that the state had loaned the county the VIPER devises in the past during emergencies such as hurricanes.

By consensus, the board agreed to one of two new vehicles requested by the sheriff’s department, at about $30,000 per car.

In another move that had all the commissioners nodding, Buck was told to see if the county could offer to give away concrete currently stored at the county recycling center. The concrete has to be removed, by state order, and the price tag for commercial haul away would be about $49,000. Commissioners Carl Ollison and Kenny Heath both expressed confidence that local construction entities would take the concrete, if offered.

Buck told the board that budget requests from fire and rescue department would be submitted by April 1 and the public schools and community college requests would be available in May.

The board will await requested information from Buck and the submission of other requests, and then set a date for another budget workshop.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or Charlie.hall@newbernsj.com